Athletic Clothing Research Articles

Delineating Professional and Amateur Athletic Bodies in Victorian England

By 1837, the sporting landscape of England was populated by a number of professional pedestrians who competed in a range of events that were extensively covered in the sporting press. These men distinguished themselves from their competitors through their use of ‘colours’ and a range of different athletic clothing. In the later stages of the nineteenth century, the dominance of the professional athlete was challenged through the formation of clubs and associations by a public-school- and university-educated middle class. The somatotype and clothing strategies of the Victorian athlete altered as a result. Their assumption of an innate physical superiority, allied to a preference for the all-rounder with his elegance and style, rather than the muscular, specialized sporting bodies of working-class professionals, were important features of an amateur ethos which drew much of its references from the Classical world. Through a discussion of how middle-class amateur athletes used Classical precedents, science and clothing to create the ‘university athlete’ and the ‘university costume’, in order to reinforce the distinctions between their own bodies and those of the professionals, this paper explores the transition from pedestrianism to organized athletics.

Nanosilver: Weighing the Risks and Benefits

It takes a special sort of case to spur attorneys into a debate over the drooling habits of toddlers. Yet that’s where lawyers from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Swiss chemicals company HeiQ found themselves in January 2013 as they debated in a federal appeals court the extent to which 1-year-olds and 3-year-olds chew, salivate, and swallow.1 At issue in the NRDC’s suit against the EPA, which is still awaiting ruling, was whether the agency was right in granting a conditional registration in December 2011 to a nanosilver-based antimicrobial fabric treatment manufactured by HeiQ.2 The EPA’s risk assessment was based in part on assumptions about exposure of 3-year-olds by sucking or chewing on nanosilver-laced textiles such as clothing, blankets, and pillowcases. Silver nanoparticles are added to a variety of textiles and home goods as an antimicrobial. Although silver has been used safely for centuries, some question whether the rapid expansion of new exposure sources to nanosilver could have adverse consequences. ... NRDC lawyer Catherine Rahm, however, begged to differ with the agency’s methods. In the January hearing, she argued that the agency record shows infants are more likely than any other subset of children to chew on fabrics that could contain the pesticide, and that if the agency were to recalculate its risk assessment based on the body weight of a 1-year-old, nanosilver concentrations in HeiQ’s product could result in potentially harmful exposures. It’s an obscure but critical distinction as far as risk assessment goes. And given the implications for HeiQ and other companies looking to follow in its footsteps, the case has landed at the center of a prolonged conflict over the regulation of nanosilver and the growing deployment of this antimicrobial ingredient in a variety of commercial and consumer products. Yet regardless of which side prevails in the case, the truth about nanosilver is not black and white. Even the loudest voices joining the NRDC’s call for strict regulation of nanosilver concede that context is key. “I’m not somebody who is for or against nano,” says Ian Illuminato, who directs Friends of the Earth’s U.S. nanotechnology campaign, which has produced a series of reports on the potential dangers of nanosilver and other nanomaterials. “I’m just saying we need to do this in a mature and adult way. That’s not to say this isn’t a helpful technology and it doesn’t have a place in our future, but in the way it’s evolving right now, it’s very risky.” Greg Lowry, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University who studies the fate of nanoparticles in the environment, agrees that the use of nanosilver is a matter of balancing risk and reward. “There’s a tremendous potential benefit to the use in some of these products,” he says. “What one has to do is to ask yourself whether the benefits outweigh the risk.”

The Effect of Prolonged Light Intensity Exercise in the Heat on Executive Function

When people are involved in outdoor activities, it is important to be able to assess a situation and make rational decisions. The goal of this study is to determine the effects of 90 minutes of light-intensity exercise in a hot environment on executive functioning capabilities of healthy individuals. In this prospective laboratory study, 40 healthy male and female subjects 18 to 45 years of age performed treadmill exercise while wearing athletic clothing and a backpack in either a hot or temperate environment. Vital signs, core and skin temperature, and perceptual measures (thermal sensation, sweating, comfort, and perceived exertion) were measured before, during, and after the treadmill test. Cognitive function was measured before and after the treadmill test using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and a Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT). Subjects in the hot condition reached a similar core temp of 38.2° ± 0.5°C vs 37.7° ± 0.3°C (P = .325) in the temperate group but had a higher heart rate (P < .001) and skin temperature (P < .001). Hot and normal temperature groups did not differ in their PVT performance. There were more correct responses (P < .001), fewer errors (P < .001), and more conceptual responses (P = .001) on the WCST after exertion in both the hot room and normal temperature room conditions. Perseverations and perseverative errors (P = .002) decreased in both groups after exertion. Conditions of mild heat stress coupled with modest rehydration and short hiking treks do not appear to negatively affect executive function or vigilance.

Biomechanical performance measurement using wireless inertial sensors for professional and recreational darts players

Biomechanical performance is an important factor for developing darts players. The darts throw happens so quickly (< 200 ms) that even the trained eye of an experienced coach has difficulty...

Fluid balance, thermal stress, and post exercise response in women’s Islamic athletic clothing

This study examined heat stress, heart rate (HR), fluid balance, micro-environment temperature and humidity with Islamic athletic clothing (IC) compared to traditional soccer uniform (SC). Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), session RPE (S-RPE), comfort, and cooling response were also examined. Female volunteers (N = 8) completed a treadmill [Formula: see text] test and then, in a randomized, counter-balanced order, two intermittent running bouts (45 min total) in a hot environment (30.0°C WBGT) in IC and SC. Thereafter, participants sat for 40 min in the hot ambient environment. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significantly greater micro-environment temperature (p = 0.02) (IC 33.3 ± 3.2°C, SC 32.0 ± 2.8°C) and humidity (p = 0.04) (IC 48.4 ± 8.1%, SC 42.9 ± 7.9%) in IC during the exercise trial but no difference in the 40-min recovery period for micro-environment temperature (p = 0.25) or humidity (p = 0.18). No significant difference (p > 0.05) was shown for core temperature (T (rec)) (IC 38.3 ± 0.4°C, SC 38.2 ± 0.4°C), HR (IC l54 ± 28 beats min(-1), SC 151 ± 26 beats min(-1)) or RPE (IC 4.7 ± 2.1, SC 3.8 ± 1.7) during the exercise trial or recovery period. Results from a paired t test revealed a significantly greater (p < 0.05) S-RPE (IC 5.8 ± 1.2, SC 4.3 ± 1.9), sweat loss (IC 1.4 ± 0.4 L h(-1), SC 1.2 ± 0.4 L h(-1)) and greater discomfort during the exercise and recovery period for the IC. IC clothing appears to have no detrimental effects on heat storage or heat strain during exercise or recovery.

‘Tool of Empowerment’: The Rhetorical Vision of Title Nine

This study of the mail order catalog Title Nine, a California-based women's athletic clothing company, employs symbolic convergence theory and fantasy theme analysis through the context of third wave feminism. The catalog, named after the federal law in the United States that was intended to equalize opportunities between men's and women's participation in sports, creates a distinct social reality in an effort to empower readers. Similar studies have analyzed stereotypical representations of women in magazines and advertising. However, this study offers insight into a newly emerging phenomenon in a niche market, the mail-order catalog, and in the artifact under study, it offers a medium where creators intend to do more than sell women's clothing. Within fantasy theme analysis is the fantasy type, a moral or social more that repeats itself through various actors or settings within the artifact. Four fantasy types put forth by Title Nine have been identified by the researcher, including a.) "I am superwoman," b.) "I am a mom," c.) "I am an advocate for women," and d.) "I can be anything."

Thermal Stress, Rate Of Cooling, And Microenvironment In Women's Islamic Athletic Clothing

Thermal Stress, Rate Of Cooling, And Microenvironment In Women's Islamic Athletic Clothing

Celebrity athletes and athletic clothing design: branding female tennis players

Interest in celebrities and their lifestyles makes the clothing they wear an important part of their image. Due to their influence on markets, celebrity athletes are no longer simply product endorsers; many are now also involved in product design. The present study adopts both expert interviews and observation methodologies to explore the celebrity athlete?clothing relationship in high-profile female tennis players. A content analysis of the 2005 Wimbledon Championships and interviews with experts in both the sport marketing and fashion industries provided for the development of a model that articulates the interactions between the celebrity athlete, the label, the market, and the clothing the athlete wears during competition. Results outline the important connection between celebrity athletes, their clothing and the tennis audience. Applicability to practice and impetus for future research are provided.

Physical Appearance and the Perceived Effectiveness of Performance Enhancement Consultants

Research has revealed that dress and build can impact others’ perceptions of personality, knowledge, competence, and effectiveness (Hash, Munna, Vogel, &amp; Bason, 2003; Lennon, 1986). This study investigated athletes’ first impression formation of performance enhancement consultants (PECs) and its influence on athletes’ perceptions of their knowledge, ability, and personality characteristics. Participants (N = 86) rated 11 pictures of PECs on personality traits, sport knowledge, and likeliness of seeking services. Results revealed that build and dress were most influential on PEC ratings. PECs with a lean build and academic clothing were rated higher on personality traits PECs than other groups. PECs with a lean build and athletic clothing were rated higher on sport knowledge and more likely to be sought for services than PECs with a large build and academic clothing.

Changes in exercise and post-exercise core temperature under different clothing conditions.

This study evaluates the effect of different levels of insulation on esophageal (Tes) and rectal (Tre) temperature responses during and following moderate exercise. Seven subjects completed three 18-min bouts of treadmill exercise (75% VO2max, 22 degrees C ambient temperature) followed by 30 min of recovery wearing either: (1) jogging shoes, T-shirt and shorts (athletic clothing); (2) single-knit commercial coveralls worn over the athletic clothing (coveralls); or (3) a Canadian Armed Forces nuclear, bacteriological and chemical warfare protective overgarment with hood, worn over the athletic clothing (NBCW overgarment). Tes was similar at the start of exercise for each condition and baseline Tre was approximately 0.4 degree C higher than Tes. The hourly equivalent rate of increase in Tes during the final 5 min of exercise was 1.8 degrees C, 3.0 degrees C and 4.2 degrees C for athletic clothing, coveralls and NBCW overgarment respectively (P < 0.05). End-exercise Tes was significantly different between conditions [37.7 degrees C (SEM 0.1 degree C), 38.2 degrees C (SEM 0.2 degree C and 38.5 degrees C (SEM 0.2 degree C) for athletic clothing, coveralls and NBCW overgarment respectively)] (P < 0.05). No comparable difference in the rate of temperature increase for Tre was demonstrated, except that end-exercise Tre for the NBCW overgarment condition was significantly greater (0.5 degree C) than that for the athletic clothing condition. There was a drop in Tes during the initial minutes of recovery to sustained plateaus which were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated above pre-exercise resting values by 0.6 degree C, 0.8 degree C and 1.0 degree C, for athletic clothing, coveralls, and NBCW overgarment, respectively. Post-exercise Tre decreased very gradually from end-exercise values during the 30-min recovery. Only the NBCW overgarment condition Tre was significantly elevated (0.3 degree C) above the athletic clothing condition (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Tes is far more sensitive in reflecting the heat stress of different levels of insulation during exercise and post-exercise than Tre. Physiological mechanisms are discussed as possible explanations for the differences in response.

THE FEMALE ATHLETE TRIAD

THE FEMALE ATHLETE TRIAD

Reproducibility of body temperature response to standardized test conditions when assessing clothing

The traditional use of core temperature to assess the thermal effects of clothing has recently been questioned. The purpose of this study was to assess the reproducibility of body temperature in five subjects (mean age, 22.6 +/- 1.5 years) wearing either athletic clothing or a chemical protective overgarment while exercising at 20 degrees C and at 40 degrees C. The exercise was preceded by a 1 h adaptation period in a controlled environmental chamber. Results indicated that mean group change in rectal temperature (delta Tr) appeared to be reproducible for both garment ensembles at 20 degrees C but not at 40 degrees C. For mean change in oesophageal temperature (delta T(oes)) at 20 degrees C, reproducibility was obtained for the overgarment but not for the athletic garment; at 40 degrees C, mean delta T(oes) appeared to be reproducible with both garments. However, when individual responses were examined, there was little reproducibility for either delta Tr or delta T(oes). In addition, these measurements failed to show differences in the types of clothing worn. It was concluded that the use of core temperature to assess heat stress imposed by wearing clothing during exercise may lead to erroneous conclusions.

Sport and Recreation in Ancient Greece: A Sourcebook with Translations

This study examines sport and recreation in ancient Greece, through the translated accounts of ancient Greek and Latin authors. It examines the athletic events of the ancient Olympics and other games, athletic clothing, women in sports, and accounts of famous athletes.

The effect of athletic clothing aerodynamics upon running speed

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the wind resistance of athletic clothing upon running speed in sprinting and in distance running. Wind tunnel tests of clothing materials, hair, and shoes show that it is possible to lower the wind resistance of a runner from about 0.5% to over 6% by improved aerodynamics. Mathematical models of sprinting and distance running are developed to predict the effect of lower wind resistance upon race times. By lowering the wind resistance of a runner 2%, the models predict the effect of lower wind resistance upon race times. By lowering the wind resistance of a runner 2%, the models predict time savings from 0.01 s in the 100-m dash to 5.7 s in the marathon. This is the equivalent of lead distances of about 0.1 to 31 m. The sprint model may be used to predict the effect of altitude upon running speed. At the altitude of Mexico City, the model predicts an improvement of 0.08 s in 100 m and 0.16 s in 200 m. This is conservative compared to actual time savings. The results show that it is possible to lower the wind resistance significantly by improving clothing or by trimming or covering the hair, and that a small aerodynamic drag reduction can result in a significant performance increase.

Athletic clothing.

Athletic clothing.

A Rental System for Administration of Athletic Clothing

(1930). A Rental System for Administration of Athletic Clothing. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 1, No. 8, pp. 24-53.